The grandsons teach Ray how to do this really cool thing on the computer called 'blogging'. Taylor thinks that by writing a blog about cuisine will raise his profile, and help him sell more restaurant guides.

It seems to be working, because Ray is indeed selling more guides, and getting more royalties as a result.
Ray's mean streak shines through on a bowling date with Jill, as they gossip about Rosalie.
Ray still loves all his favourite activities, such as dating, cars, juggling, darts, and playing on the couch. Writing his restaurant guides has made him want to apply his talents a bit more, and learn to cook well. It's fulfilling to have long term goals.
Interest in food gives Ray another aspiration - to eat lots of grilled cheese sandwiches!
Austin really wants to watch an overseas soccer game on the net, which is on during class. He decides to be a good boy and pay attention to the teacher instead, which turns out to be good, as it was important information about a test. Waiting until after class to watch the game gives Austin even more enthusiasm in sports.

Austin keeps up his usual habits of hosting parties for the neighbourhood kids and teens. Now that he's going steady with Shannon Karakos (see Karakos story), gatherings are a lot more fun. Austin is more used to the idea of being attracted to his childhood friend, and is quite open in his admiration of her.

AN: As mentioned in the Karakos story, I did indeed use the aspiration reward to change Austin's turn ons. Not wanting to take any chances, I made them all geared towards Shannon, and the pair now have 3 bolts of chemistry. Austin and Renee actually have 2 bolts of chemistry now, which isn't that surprising, given how similar the two girls are.
Taylor is finding it harder to keep up his hobby enthusiasm during school hours. In shop class, Taylor decides to stick to the plan provided for making a bird feeder. It's a rather dull design, and Taylor looses some tinkering enthusiasm.

Kea Do is keen to be friends with Taylor, and often calls him up, one time inviting him on an outing. Taylor doesn't especially want to spend his time dating and partying. He's more interesting in earning promotions at work, and winning scholarships for college. He turns down Kea's offer to go out, as he is due to go to work.

Taylor is pleased he did go to work. He remembered that one of the partners wanted the clerks to order files by colour, and this earns him a promotion.
Soon, Taylor advances as far as a school student can in the law career. He brings home Shannon Karakos, who also works at the same law firm, to celebrate.
Austin is always happy to have his favourite girl visit, but he is also aware that he will be leaving for college soon. Determined to get the soccer scholarship, Austin works on increasing his general fitness, and spends a lot of time doing situps and pushups.

AN: Doing this has been rather frustrating, as almost all of Austin's wants revolve around his popularity aspiration. This means that he's relatively low on aspiration points while I try to earn him some scholarships.
The house is packed with clutter, but Taylor is glad that one of those items of clutter is a new desk. Now he has somewhere to do his homework on, instead of the floor. Austin is still happy to do his homework on the floor.
Taylor may be a teen still, but with tips like setting up his granddad's blog, he's already fairly financially savvy. He starts supplementing the wages from his afterschool job with some money earned by providing financial consulting online.
Taylor spends his money on a beautiful new stereo. As a result, the family almost goes broke. This doesn't sate Taylor's appetite for spending. In fact, it merely opens his eyes to every more impressive (and expensive) stereos!

AN: Urgh! As soon as I bough one expensive stereo, he wanted an even more expensive stereo!
Wanting to keep up his tinkering hobby, Taylor buys an old bomb of a car, and starts fixing it up. It looks like it's going to be quite a project!
One night, Ray takes the boys to see a violinist play at SimCity Concert Hall. Austin is mesmerised by th music. Afterwards he is able to have a go at playing the violin himself. He has never had lessons, but he seems to play it adequately, and is joined by his brother bashing some notes on the piano.
The audience seems to appreciate Austin's efforts.

Austin decides that instead of reaching the top of the music career by playing in a band, he will instead focus on playing the violin.
Austin begs Ray to buy him a violin, and he sets at practicing it.
Now that summer's here, the boys love doing summery activities, such as water balloon fights in the back yard.
The neighbourhood teens also join them in casual group to places like the park. They spend many hours hanging out on the play equipment.
Summer is the perfect time for fishing, even if it is after dark. No one is actually very good at it, and instead of catching fish, hey catch boots.

AN: This was very annoying. Both boys wanted to go fishing, but I'll be darned if they didn't reroll that want as soon as they got to the park. I tried to get them to reroll that want again, but with no luck. I decided to get the kids to go fishing anyway.
Make Out Time!
Austin may prefer the very social outings, to spending time with just his steady, but Ray doesn't feel that way at all. He and Jill constantly go on dates together. Sometimes it's to play pool at The Imperial pub.
The pub is fun because they can start up a jam band with other patrons, even if none of them are very good at playing instruments.
Other times it's to Saffron for a bite to eat.

Ray doesn't really feel the desire to take his relationship with Jill further. Jill herself has mixed feelings. On one hand, she wants to marry Ray, but on the other, she is terrified of making a committment. She still wants to be able to woo hoo other sims, although she keeps this secret to herself.
Austin has his last classes at school, and graduates.
To celebrate, the teens all go to The Treasury for a night of dancing. Super Buff Austin impresses them all with his skills on the dance sphere.
Austin also has a break dancing lesson, but it doesn't go very well.
Since he and Shannon don't get much one on one time, Austin just flirts with her with the group around.
Things turn sour very quickly.

It seems that Candice hasn't forgotten all that flirting they did from a while back, and Austin... forgot to tell her about his new girlfriend.
Taylor is left to try to rescue the outing from being a complete disaster. He encourages everyone to hit the dance floor. Candice isn't too keen on the idea, and plots to play tricks on the Benson family every day for the next week. Upsetting the bin sounds like a really good idea. In spite of Candice's understandable bad mood, Taylor has a lot of fun with Kea. She has wanted to be friends for a while, and this outing is a really good chance to solidify their friendship. In spite of all the drama, in eventually turns out to be a good evening.
Austin and Shannon on the other hand ignore everyone else, and spend most of the night making out.

AN: After Candice and Austin's spat, it was the only way to prevent having a disaster score!
The long summer nights are a perfect time to hold bonfire nights at the beach.
Soon New Years Eve comes around.

The Bensons hold a big party, and set off lots of sparklers and poppers.
Father Time also makes a visit.
Rosalie gives him a big, and very LOUD welcome.
Father Time may have had some interesting things to do at the party, but no one has a chance to find out, as all the racket Rosalie made attracted the attention of the neighbours. The police come to break up the party.

Austin is still really happy, as the party went well, and he now has 10 best friends.

AN: I don't usually change wallpaper for special events, but I decided to give them balloon wallpaper for the party. :-)
Still up for a party, Austin calls up Kea, and sneaks out of the house with her that night. Fortunately he doesn't get caught.

Austin feels a bit guilty for lying to his granddad, because he knows he's usually pretty easygoing. Next time he wants to go out with Kea, Austin asks Ray for permission, which is readily granted.
It's almost time for Austin to leave for college. All his soccer and violin practice have paid off, as he wins the following scholarships to a total of $3500:

2 Comment(s) so far

This story is a gorgeous one ...........love it because you are the best and this story tackles drama, love, business and family issues ............

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